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David Raya’s agent reveals FFP ‘issues’ with permanent Arsenal transfer and interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham

David Raya joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford in the summer (Shutterstock)

David Raya has revealed that ‘issues’ with Financial Fair Play regulations prevented Arsenal from signing the goalkeeper on a permanent deal in the summer and claims the Gunners fended off competition from Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Arsenal signed Raya on loan from Brentford for a £3 million fee in August but have the option to make the deal permanent for £27m at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper but has come under fire after several unconvincing performances since his move to Arsenal.

Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell, says Arsenal’s interest in the Spaniard predates the club’s decision to sign Ramsdale in a £30m deal from Sheffield United in 2021 and says Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United all made concrete approaches in the summer window.

‘Arsenal showed interest for the first time three years ago in 2021. They tried to buy him but Brentford didn’t want to sell him at any price,’ Munell told AFTV.

‘After they bought Ramsdale that was an easier option but David has always been the priority.

Arsenal tried to sign David Raya before Aaron Ramsdale in 2021, claims the Spaniard’s agent (Getty)

‘This summer, he had just one year left on his contract with Brentford and Arsenal was the club that showed the most concrete interest and have always been our priority.

‘Tottenham also was interested and made an official bid but it was refused because was lower than the €40m [£34.9m] that Brentford wanted to sell him, also Bayern Munich was interested and had an amazing offer but with no buy option included and for this reason, we’ve not accepted it.

‘Bayern Munich didn’t understand our refusal because they thought that Raya would have been the backup keeper at Arsenal but as you can see it’s not like this. Also Manchester United and Chelsea made an inquiry but nothing concrete.’

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Munell has also credited Arteta and Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach, Inaki Cana, as being a ‘key’ part of Raya’s decision to join the Gunners in the summer.

‘The formula of the deal is a loan with the option to buy, Arsenal had some Financial Fair Play issues and this is the reason why they haven’t bought him with permanent transfer,’ Munell said.

‘Arsenal is a team with a lot of quality and a lot of young players trained by a top coach Mikel Arteta, they have maximum ambition. Arsenal have a clear identity, and a clear style of play that really works, as you can see by the results.

‘Last year they were close to winning the Premier League, I believe that this year they can win it and try to win the Champions League, it’s tough but they have the quality and the ambition to try to do it.

‘Inaki and Arteta were key for the deal, they have been determined for the choice that we made to play for Arsenal, the club have a project and a philosophy that fit completely for David.’

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